Secure Locker Package Transfer With Anonymous User Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional package transfer systems lack secure and efficient methods for anonymous transactions between buyers and sellers, particularly in online marketplaces, as they fail to authenticate users, verify item authenticity, and ensure safe exchange without requiring physical interaction, leading to safety and fraud concerns.

Innovation Solution

Implementing identity proofing techniques to authenticate drop-off and pick-up users, evaluating package attributes for authenticity, and enabling secure, anonymous fund transfers without direct party interaction, using storage lockers that unlock only for authenticated users, and facilitating asynchronous payment networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional storage lockers are used for package transfer, then package storage and retrieval is enabled, but user authentication and package authenticity verification are not performed, leading to fraud and theft risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackage transfer securityVSAvoidauthentication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary authentication system that mediates between the buyer and seller. This system includes authentication hardware (cameras, biometric scanners) and software components that verify user identities and package authenticity without requiring direct interaction between trading parties. The intermediary system processes authentication data, generates verification codes, and controls storage locker access, thereby enhancing security while maintaining operational simplicity for users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual verification processes with automated authentication systems. Instead of physical inspection and manual trust-based exchanges, the system uses electronic authentication mechanisms including biometric verification, automated image recognition, and digital code generation. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with electronic and automated systems enhances reliability while managing complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If buyers and sellers meet in person for package exchange, then item verification before payment is possible, but safety risks and exposure to potential dangerous situations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveitem verification capabilityVSAvoidsafety risks for parties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a secure facility with automated authentication systems as an intermediary between buyers and sellers. The facility includes storage lockers controlled by authentication hardware, surveillance systems, and automated verification processes. This intermediary environment allows item verification through controlled access and monitoring without requiring direct physical interaction between trading parties, thereby eliminating safety risks associated with personal meetings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service authentication and package retrieval through automated processes. Users authenticate themselves using biometric or digital verification methods, receive automated verification codes, and retrieve packages through coded access to storage lockers. The automated authentication system and surveillance infrastructure provide security services without requiring human intervention or direct interaction between buyers and sellers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If anonymous transactions are enabled between parties, then privacy and safety are improved, but authentication and verification of users and items become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoiduser authentication difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary authentication system that handles verification without exposing personal information. The system uses automated authentication hardware to verify user identities through biometric or digital methods, generates unique verification codes, and controls access to storage lockers. This intermediary process enables anonymous transactions by decoupling identity verification from personal information disclosure, thereby maintaining privacy while ensuring authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual authentication processes with automated electronic verification systems. Instead of requiring users to disclose personal information or engage in manual verification, the system uses biometric scanners, camera-based recognition, and digital code generation. This electronic substitution enables anonymous yet secure authentication, maintaining privacy protection while simplifying the verification process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Speed

If real-time payment networks are used for immediate fund transfer, then payment speed is improved, but safety and privacy risks persist due to direct information exchange between parties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepayment transfer speedVSAvoidprivacy and safety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary payment processing system that facilitates real-time transactions without direct information exchange between buyers and sellers. The system includes payment circuitry that processes transactions through a secure intermediary platform, enabling immediate fund transfer while preventing exposure of personal financial information. The intermediary system verifies transaction authenticity and executes payments without requiring parties to share sensitive data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct peer-to-peer payment processing with automated intermediary payment infrastructure. The system uses electronic payment circuitry and software-based transaction processing to enable real-time fund transfer through a secure platform. This electronic intermediary system eliminates the need for direct information exchange between parties while maintaining payment speed, thereby reducing privacy and safety risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12475493B1Method, apparatus, and computer program product for secure facilitation of package transfer
Publication Date: 2025.11.18 WELLS FARGO BANK NA
  • US12475493B1 patent drawing
  • US12475493B1 patent drawing
  • US12475493B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for securely facilitating a package transfer between parties. An example method includes receiving a package offer indication and providing a control signal to a storage locker compartment of a storage locker in response to determining a package drop-off indication. The example method may further include generating a package purchase data object and determining a package sale indication associated with the package offer indication. The example method may further include providing a control signal to the storage locker compartment housing a package associated with the package offer indication in response to determining a package pick-up indication and updating the package purchase data object based on the package sale indication. The example method may further include transmitting a payment to a seller account based on the package purchase data object in response to a payment trigger event.